Silkie question

[meremmas]

Hi Iam new on here and trying to figure out where I can ask a question. Hopefully this is right. I have 2 Silkie hens. Their house is up off the ground and we made them a ramp to gwt into it. But they are not using it and cuddling up on the ground. The ramp is about 6 inches wide by 4ft long graduated with slats on it. About 3 ft off the ground. They can get off of it. I usually pick them up and put them away at night. ARE they going to learn to use this? Or do we need to change something?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

How old are they and how long have they had this ramp?

 

[meremmas]

Their not quite a year. The ramp has been there a couple of months maybe.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

You might have trouble then, silkies don't always see well, nor can they get much lift by flapping their wings, so either you might have to keep helping them or make something else, maybe steps would work better.

 

[meremmas]

My ramp has rungs on it. I wondered if the wings or sight was it. But we can try something else for them. Thanks everyone for the help. I really like them they are cute little girls.

 

[Cartop Rob]

My silkie stands at the edge of the ramp and jumps up onto it from the ground. She doesn't walk up. She will walk down it much like you describe. I would stop putting them in. If it were me...I'd stand by and at dusk they really really want to get in the coop. If you don't help them...they have to figure it out.i would only help if it were obvious they won't go in. Perhaps a small booster box they can hop on then hop up to the door?

 

[meremmas]

I will have to watch them and see what they do. It's cold out so I worry about them. But they are protected from the wind. Maybe iI will have to lower the whole house some.